Bush won the Heisman Trophy in 2005 and was picked second overall in the NFL draft in 2006 by the New Orleans Saints.

With the Saints, Bush was used primarily as a receiver out of the backfield and never rushed for more the 581 yards in a season. He spent the last two years with the Miami Dolphins, rushing for 2,072 total yards and averaged 5.0 yards per carry in 2011.

On paper, Bush's versatility makes him a perfect fit in Detroit, which had been looking for a big-play replacement for Jahvid Best.

Bush would have to be pretty productive in his four seasons with the Lions to outperform Bly and Lebeau, the latter of which was No. 1 on our statewide list.

* Bly signed a five-year contract worth $24.5 million, and in his first season with the Lions in 2003 he had six interceptions and five fumble recoveries and was elected to the Pro Bowl. He also was a Pro Bowl selection in 2004 and had 19 interceptions in four seasons in Detroit.

* LeBeau was a fifth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 1959. He was cut in training camp and was signed by the Lions. LeBeau's 62 career interceptions are the most in Lions history and seventh all time in the NFL. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

* Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who signed a four-year, $26 million deal in 2010, is an example of a more recent successful free agent signing.

Even though Vanden Bosch was released this offseason, he's credited with helping the Lions dig out of their 0-16 hole from 2008. In three seasons in Detroit, Vanden Bosch had 15.5 sacks, 87 tackles and provided a veteran presence in the locker room.

* Quarterback Jon Kitna had back-to-back 4,000-yard passing seasons after signing with Detroit before the 2006 season, and Scott Mitchell helped the Lions go 10-6 in 1995 by throwing for 4,338 yards and 32 touchdowns. (Or, was Mitchell a bust?)

Obviously, Bush's production and the Lions' level of overall success will determine the true significance of the deal.

A Hall of Fame career like LeBeau's probably is a stretch, but if Bush stays healthy, then Pro Bowl-level play like that from Bly seems realistic.